Proof of Delivery Clarified

​As we have previously written about in Össur R&R, what constitutes adequate proof of delivery has evolved over the last 12-18 months.

Historically, it was common practice for suppliers to list the long description of the applicable L code(s) on the proof of delivery form and the DME MACs accepted that. However, beginning in 2014, we started hearing from suppliers that some DME MACs had begun rejecting the L code descriptors. As a result, many companies were forced to revamp their entire proof of delivery process.

What you need to know:

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Medicare has now updated the Program Integrity Manual (Chapter 4, Section 4.26.1 to clarify that L code long descriptors are valid for the proof of delivery form. Specifically, the manual now reads:

The long description of the HCPCS code, for example, may be used as a means to provide a detailed description of the item being delivered; though suppliers are encouraged to include as much information as necessary to adequately describe the delivered item. [emphasis added]

What does this mean for you?

With this clarification, the L code narrative descriptions are now explicitly a legitimate form of "detailed description of the item being delivered." However, it is important to remember that this is only 1 of 5 elements required by Medicare to have a valid proof of delivery:

Patient name;

Quantity delivered;

Detailed description of the item being delivered (L code description now appropriate to satisfy this standard);

Brand name of the item delivered; and

Serial number of the item delivered.

Since many practice management/billing programs auto-create proof of delivery forms using the L code long description of the item, this will likely simplify a process that had become ever more complicated for suppliers over the last 18 months. However, make sure that you also​​​​ include each of the other 4 elements required for a valid proof of delivery moving forward.